When we think about dessert, we sometimes forget about natures candy. I guess all that refined sugar kind of one ups what is natural. However, there are a couple of huge trade offs when you decide to put down the apple and pick up the M&Ms, including:
- Fructose (the sugar in fruit) breaks down slower which prevents a drastic decrease in blood sugar making you satisfied longer
- Refined sugar has bleaches and other chemicals added to it to give it the white color and the taste
- Desserts with processed sugar are usually 3 times higher in calories
- Refined sugar is nutritionally empty while fruit has things like antioxidants, vitamins, potassium and fiber
Any fruit is a better choice than processed desserts. But like vegetables, fruits are not created equal. Certain fruits have specific health benefits and a place in your life.
Apples
With 3 grams of fiber or 15% of your daily value, apples are great source of this important substance. High fiber diets have been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as clear your skin. Plus, apples are only 80 calories and have 0 grams of fat.
Bananas
Bananas are a great fruit for two reasons: fiber and potassium. While bananas have 1 less gram of fiber than an apples, they are loaded with the all-important nutrient of potassium. Potassium is important to healthy, proper functioning of your heart and muscles.
Blueberries
Blueberries are amazing little super fruits that offer a number of health benefits. One of the things you may not know is that blueberries can discourage bladder infections by making it hard for bacteria to stick to the walls of your urinary tract. The benefits don’t stop there, blueberries can also boost your libido and sex drive by killing the free radicals that stop blood flow to your “special” area.
Apricots
Apricots are very low in calories and are a great source of beta-carotene, which your body converts to Vitamin A. Adding just one or two apricots to your daily diet will cover 35 percent of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A.
Blackberries
It’s true that pretty much all fruits contain fiber, but for the person who wants to knock out their fiber in one shot, just down a cup of blackberries. A cup of blackberries delivers an instant 10-gram serving of fiber, which is half of your daily requirement.
Cherries
For me, nothing is better than cold cherries. Luckily, cherries are always on the list of the most nutritious fruits. This is because they’re rich in perillyl alcohol (which has been shown to reduce prostate cancer in tests), and their red color is a direct byproduct of the heart-protecting anthocyanins.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates can help stop harmful blood clots, and increase blood flow from the heart by up to 30 percent. Studies have also shown that pomegranates can slow the growth of tumors and improved survival rates of cancer in mice. Other studies have also linked pomegranate consumption to a reduced risk of breast cancer.
Oranges
With 70 milligrams of Vitamin C and 40 milligrams of folic acid, oranges help maintain a healthy immune system. This is why so many doctors recommend eating oranges while trying to fight a cold.
Purple Grapes
Purple grapes offer vital nutrients to your heart, such as anthocyanins, flavanoids, and resveratrol. These nutrients aid the heart in the task of pumping blood to your brain and other organs.
Mangos
Nothing beats a mango when it comes to Vitamin A, but you’ll also get 57 milligrams of Vitamin C from just 1 mango. This is important when fighting off colds, bugs, and seasonal viruses.